Lions coach Warren Gatland rules out Jonny Wilkinson call

Jonny Wilkinson recently won the European Cup with Toulon and was named European Player of the Year.

Getty Images: Ian Walton

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has insisted he will not ask Jonny Wilkinson to join the forthcoming tour to Australia unless his squad is hit by injuries.

Wilkinson was crowned European player of the year on Sunday to cap a memorable weekend for the English stars, who had kicked Toulon to victory over Clermont Auvergne in the final of the European Cup just 24 hours earlier.

The 33-year-old was asked to tour by Gatland before the 37-man squad was announced on April 30, but Wilkinson rejected the opportunity due to his commitments at Toulon and deteriorating fitness.

While Gatland confirmed that Wilkinson remains an option if either Jonathan Sexton or Owen Farrell are injured, he insists the fly half's most recent heroics have failed to convince him another approach is necessary.

"We've been through the conversation that we had with Jonny and nothing's changed on that," Gatland said.

"If we picked up an injury on tour then maybe there's a conversation to be had.

"Jonny's a good player, but we've had the conversation about him."

Meanwhile, Gatland expects Leinster duo Brian O'Driscoll and Sean O'Brien to be on board the team's flight to Hong Kong, where the tour opens against the Barbarians on June 1.

O'Driscoll should play in this weekend's Celtic League final against Ulster after making progress in his recovery from the back spasm that ruled him out of Friday's victory over Stade Francais.

O'Brien played in the European Challenge Cup final against Stade, only to pick up a knee injury that will sideline him for two weeks.

"Sean has been looked at by the medics and hopefully he'll spend this week with us," said Gatland, who was speaking at the Lions' week-long training camp just outside Dublin.

"He has a bit of bone bruising, but it was more positive than first thought.

"Brian is hoping to be fit to play this weekend. He's on his feet again."